gwilym | open post

( tl )

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Edited 2023-08-28 16:30 (UTC)

Falling in with the paladin has been a...mixed blessing.

On one hand, it was simply very useful to have a wall of plate metal and (presumably) solid muscle between himself and the many, many entities who were interested in killing them all. Someone so luminous cast the kind of shadows that were very easy to duck in and out of, knife in hand, and Astarion has been taking advantage of that ever since they encountered the first wave of goblins. Lae'zel was no slouch with a sword either, but she wasn't nearly as distracting for their enemies.

Of course, Lae'zel probably wouldn't have even bothered getting involved in local politics, such was her determination to reach the Gith creche. That was one of the downsides - the investment in whatever heroic nonsense his faith demanded. Astarion would argue that anything not directly involving tadpole removal is a tremendous waste of their time, but not loudly. After all, when his choice is between enslavement to the Absolute and enslavement to Cazador, at least the former seems to be taking its time.

Then there's the other issue. Astarion is not a religious student by any means, but he has a distinct sense that the undead and undead-adjacent are not to be tolerated by those of Godfrey's faith. He's lost all sense of how obvious his vampirism...is. Yes, he has sharp teeth and red eyes and some rather distinctive scars, but he's also crossing babbling brooks in bright sunshine without even a twinge of discomfort. The average monster hunter would inspect their bestiary and give him a miss, surely?

As for his occasional nighttime dining, he's done his best to be discreet. Ultimately, one hunk of carrion looks much like another, drained or not.

It's for these reasons that he tells himself he has no reason for concern when the man approaches him at camp, after dinner.

"Our fearless leader," he says, setting his book aside. "Whatever can I do for you this evening?"

If he made an effort, he could probably stop everything he says from sounding like a come-on. He's not planning to try.

( tl )

( previously )

I'm sure that I fret over our separation more than she does, for she is yet small.

[ He hopes, anyway.

But... he's not holding his breath. She's quickly becoming not so little at all. Her advancing age is the exact thing that keeps him determined to return home; to Godfrey's assessment, she had been too young to truly and meaningfully register the last loss she had.

Not necessarily so now. ]

What you say is true, of course. I have you, Gale, and all the others, just as you have me. I hope that my moment's lamenting does not give the impression that I've forgotten. We have been so rarely apart that I've no choice but to fuss to myself, I suppose.

Edited 2023-12-18 15:20 (UTC)

Lay down.

[ It's not quite the tone of voice he uses when he ~~smokes an intimidation check because durge proficiency~~ calmly informs someone that they'll cooperate or he'll crush their skull, but it's on the same frequency. Aren has learned by now that Godfrey is even worse than Shadowheart when it comes to receiving care— gaining satisfaction suffering in silence, being in denial due to holy magic, he doesn't know, but it's a stubborn thing.

He is a stubborn thing as well. And he may not have a devotee's healing touch, but he has an eye for all things medical. (He says it's because it's what he was researching, as a wizard from a destitute background. No fancy jobs in towers for those without prolific mentors. In truth, he has no idea.) So he stands there in the opening of the paladin's tent, an ominous shadow of an almost-elf.

Less spooky: he's carrying what appears to be warm towels and a tin. It smells like menthol. ]

Your posture and gait have been wrong for days, despite being healed. Is it your ribs?

( tl )

( previous )

[ hmm....why does that wording feel unfortunate suddenly ]

Ah, well, my daughter. She has been a hole in my chest since the nautiloid.

I don't know that I've mentioned her to you, my friend.

( previous )

[ Hey man, it's just like with fishing. Sometimes, you have to twitch the rod a little to make the bait look more alive than it is. ]

Ha. Were that true, I suspect that my star would instead drive me to conflict with the entire country, Mr. Morgan.

It is hardly my place to judge such pursuits. In my time here, it has indeed come to seem as though capitol is as vital to life as food and water. I am a poor excuse for an outdoorsman, but I think I may prefer the light in the sky, myself.

( previously )

Have ever you read the Scriptures, Lady?

Edited 2025-02-03 14:53 (UTC)

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